As Israel’s President Considers Visiting Vatican Over Pope Francis’s Sharp Remarks About Gaza, Biden Plans Trip to the Holy See To Find ‘Relief’

The leader of the Catholic church has become increasingly critical of Israel’s military campaign, while emerging as an ‘ally and sounding board’ for the American president.

AP/Gregorio Borgia
Pope Francis arrives at Rebibbia prison for the event of the opening of the Holy Door of the chapel at the prison in Rome, December 26, 2024. AP/Gregorio Borgia

As tensions escalate between the Vatican and Israel over Pope Francis’s increasingly critical remarks about the war in Gaza, Israel’s president, Isaac Hertzog, is reportedly planning to pay the Holy See a visit. The trip, which is currently being negotiated, was proposed by His Holiness himself, Ynet News reported on Monday. 

It follows a meeting earlier this week between Israel’s foreign ministry and the Vatican’s ambassador to Israel, which was organized by Israeli officials seeking to express their disappointment with the Pope’s recent comments. The meeting, though, was not classified as a reprimand, Israeli press reports. 

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